Ring binder



Aug. 22, 1939. c. c. CRUZAN RING BINDER Filed NOV. 5, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l cmms b. CRUZAN INVENTOR M2 A ORNEY Aug. 22, 1939 c. c. CRUZAN;

RING BINDER Filed Nov. 5, 1936 2: Sheets-Sheet 2 CHARM-'5 c CRl/ZAM INVENTOR BY Mwm A ORNEY Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RING BINDER Application November 3, 1936, Serial No. 108,917

1 Claim.

This invention relates to the class of ring binders.

Particular objects of the invention are to provide a binder which can be made up at low cost from sheet metal, cellulosic or other sheet materials, which will be light, strong, durable and which will be flexible and elastic to adjust itself to the holes in the leaves during binding operations and to yield to the bending movements to which the leaves forming the bound book may be subjected.

Other objects, together with the novel features of construction, combinations and relations of parts constituting the invention will appear as the specification proceeds.

The drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification illustrate certain desired embodiments oi the invention, but it will be appreciated that the structure may be modified and 0 changed all within the true intent and scope of the claim.

Figure 1 is a broken face view of one form of v the binder holding a series of leaves or sheets, the latter being shown in the opened out relation. Figure 2 is a sectional view as taken on substantially the plane of line 2-2 of Figure 1, but showing the binder closed.

Figure 3 is a broken perspective view of the binder structure with the rings in the open relation ready to receive the sheets.

Figure 4 is a broken face view of another form of .the binder.

Figure 5 is a broken sectional view as on the general plane of line 5-5 of Figure 4 but sectloned to indicate the cross-slotting.

Figure 6 is a broken plan view of the blank which forms this second type of the binder.

In the several views the binder is shown as consisting of a series of ring elements I secured '40 together in spaced relation by short integral connecting portions 8 of the same flat material. This construction can be inexpensively struck out of sheet material, particularly metal or sheets of plastic material. 45 In the first form illustrated the ring elements all project from one edge ofthe connecting elements I and as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 have their free ends bent back in ring conformation 50 toward the opposite edge of said elements.

In the second form of the invention the ring elements project from opposite edges of the connecting bars or elements I and as particularly shown in Figure 5, have their tree ends bent in 55 ring conformation toward each other, meeting or substantially meeting along the center of the integral connecting portions at 9 to form two sets of rings for holding two groups of leaves or sheets I0.

In both constructions the connecting members are formed by slotting the prongs to impart 5 desired elasticity and flexibility without impairing or objectionably weakening the structure.

In the first construction, Figures 1 to 3, {slots I I are extended from the free or clear edge of the connecting members 8 well on into the ring ele- 1 ments projecting from the opposite edge of said members.

In the second form of the invention, Figures 4 to 6, the slots II are shown as extending clear across the back of the structure and well into the 15 root portions of the ring forming ribs projecting from the opposite edges of the integral connecting members 8'.

The result in both cases is an elastically connected series of ring elements which will readily 20 adapt themselves to the usually close fitting holes punched in the sheets and which when closed upon the sheets may yield and flex to the ordinary bending movements of the bound book. Thus, flat sheet material which is strong enough 25 to provide the desired rigidity and permanence of form for the rings may be used and the completed structure be given a flexibly jointed character adapting it most advantageously to binding operations and to subsequent use. 30

A further desired degree of elasticity and flexibility is aflorded in the first embodiment shown by thinning or reducing the width of the connecting members 8 which in this instance are shown as actually of less width than the prongs 3 or ring elements I. This reduces the inherent stiffness of the flat material employed and in conjunction with the slits or slots ll provides a construction which will bend easily without taking a permanent set or becoming malformed. This feature of flexibility also is an aid to the easy turning of the leaves over the rings. The slots may be extended into the rings any desired extent to produce the flexibility and elasticity required.

What is claimed is:

A binder comprising ring elements of flat sheet material, flexibly connected together in spaced relation, said rings being split at one end and said split ends of adjoining rings being connected together by separate individual short connecting bars of the same integral flat sheet material and whereby the split portions of the various rings may flex individually to render the binder flexible w as a whole.

CHARLES C. CRUZAN. 

